Words from the Wise

Next week, I’ll be heading to Las Vegas for The International Security Conference & Exposition, ISC West to those who know it best. It will be my first ISC event, and I am one part excited, one part curious and one part already exhausted.

Since I was told I’d be joining my colleagues on this trip, I have found priceless advice from my superiors, peers, and of course from that vast black hole that is the Internet.

So, in case this is your first time too, read the three biggest tips that I have learned from those who have attended not just one but several ISC events. If you are a seasoned attendee and have any tips for me, I encourage you to connect with me on Twitter, @SecProdsSydny. I’m always happy to speak to those with such wisdom.

Sleep is for the Dead

If I’ve learned anything from those I’ve spoken with about the show, I’ve learned that it is going to be BUSY. There will be about 1,000 security companies in one place, the perfect opportunity to cover the most ground possible, but I like how Eric Pritchard, a Philadelphia lawyer who works with electronic security providers who has been to nearly 20 ISC events, put it best. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

I’ve been told to get up early, and stay out late. Take advantage of the opportunities in the Sin City and mingle face-to-face with those who you usually are never in the same room with.

“You can sleep on the plane home,” one person told me.

Wear Comfy Shoes

“Stay curious,” is what they say. Walk the floor and ask questions; engage in conversations that lead somewhere. This is exactly what I hope to do, but that show floor is HUGE.

Some of the best advice that I have received is from Lindsay Page, our Senior Editor, who told me to wear comfy shoes and bring a backpack. While she, like me, will be attending ISC West for the first time, she has had many conversations with those who have been, and have decisions that they immediately regret, like bringing a brand new pair of shoes that have yet to be broken in.

A show floor like the one at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, just begs for a comfy pair of shoes and a comfortable bag that allows you to stay organized when you are on the go.

Have Fun!

Over and over again, I have heard the same thing. After asking someone for their advice on how to tackle one of the largest security conventions, they always end with, “But have fun!”

I like that this is sort of the over-arching theme of the show. While companies, integrators, manufacturers and consumers mingle together to see what’s new in the security industry, the common goal is to meet new people, catch up with old friends, talk new technology and revel in the industry we all choose to be a part of.

But most importantly, remember, What happens in Vegas

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3